Can Suni Lee win on vault and balance beam at Paris Olympics 2024? A look at the American's chances of winning her 2nd gold medal

Suni Lee has shown her prospects of securing gold medals in the Olympic season in the balance beam and uneven bars events at the 2024 Paris Olympics. She punched her ticket for the Paris Olympics in the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials by securing second place in the all-around event, behind Simone Biles.

Lee will compete in her second Olympics in Paris. At the Tokyo Olympics, she clinched the all-around title following Biles's withdrawal. Moreover, she earned a silver medal with the team and a bronze medal in the uneven bars event. Following the glorious feat, she stepped back from the sport after citing kidney issues.

She returned to the sport at the 2024 Winter Cup in February but clearly wasn't at her best. However, the 21-year-old made a remarkable comeback in the following competitions. At the 2024 U.S. Core Hydration Classic held at the XL Center in Connecticut in May, Lee collected a gold medal in the balance beam event after leaving Simone Biles and Konnor McClain behind with 14.600 points.

Two weeks later at the U.S. National Gymnastics Championships in Fort Worth, Texas, Lee was placed in second position after Biles in the balance beam event. At the Olympic Trials held at her home arena in Minnesota, Minneapolis, she again dominated the uneven bars event by surpassing Biles and Jordan Chiles.

While Biles has dominated the all-around event at the U.S. Classic, U.S. Nationals, and U.S. Trials, Lee has positioned herself as a strong contender for the gold medals in the balance beam and uneven bars events.

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"To be here is quite incredible" - Suni Lee expresses her delight in making it to the Olympic team following the kidney issue

Suni Lee competes in the floor exercise at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Gymnastics Trials at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Getty Images)

Following her Olympic feat, Suni Lee joined Auburn Gymnastics but had to soon end her college career due to kidney issues in February 2023. Unfazed by the adversity, she competed in the U.S. Classic and National Championships later that year in August.

Lee again navigated through the same medical condition and was forced to withdraw from the national squad competing at the Pan American Championships and World Championships until she made a full-scale return in 2024.

During an interview with Elle, Suni Lee conveyed her joy in overcoming the setback and earning a spot to compete at the greatest sporting event.

“I am in remission, so I’m getting a lot stronger,” she says. “I’ve been able to train a lot more, and I am just so happy, because I really didn’t think I would be here. To be here is quite incredible.”

The Gymnastics events will commence on July 27, 2024, at the Paris Olympics.